"I urge the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize to take joint action to pressure the regime," and "demand the immediate release of those who have been sentenced to years in prison of their convictions," Walesa told a Polish newspaper.

Walesa, the former head of the Solidarity labor union in Poland, made his comments in response to the death Tuesday of Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo after more than 80 days on hunger strike.

"I urge the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize to take joint action to pressure the regime," and "demand the immediate release of those who have been sentenced to years in prison of their convictions," Walesa told a Polish newspaper.

Walesa, the former head of the Solidarity labor union in Poland, made his comments in response to the death Tuesday of Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo after more than 80 days on hunger strike.